Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Skin Care
Designing a Skin Care Regimen
Step One: Cleanse. Cleansers these days are designed for all skin types. There are cleansers for normal, dry, acne prone and aging or sensitive skin. Wash your face 2x day.
Step Two: Prevent. EVERYONE should be using a topical antioxidant. Antioxidants help prevent free radical formation which can lead to skin cancers. Incredible antiaging benefits.
Step Three: Correct. Eye creams, firming treatments, and retinols to help the with the prevention of fine lines, help with elasticity, and helps with environmentally damaged skin.
Step Four: Moisturize. These include night creams with exfoliant properties, Pore minimizing treatments and rich emollients.
Step Five: Protect. Listen up—SUNSCREEN. Simple as that. SPF 20 or higher daily, 365 days a year.
What is a Photo Facial?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked yourself, “I wonder if there is anything out there that can remove my age spots and take away my facial redness? An intensed pulsed light or IPL procedure can be just what the doctor ordered.
IPL uses a specific wavelength of light and special filters to
target age spots, pigment irregularities and redness due to
small superficial blood vessels. The procedure takes
anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and you can return to
work immediately. It can be done of the face (photofacial),
the chest, hands and other areas. Treatments are usually
bundled in 4 or 5 treatment packages.
The effect is enhanced when combined with a
microdermabrasion and chemical peel. The microderm is
done about 1 to 2 weeks after each IPL treatment.
Serial photos are taken to assess the progress of your
treatments. Winter is a great time to start your IPL
procedure since it cannot be done on tanned skin.
Winter Skin Care Survival Guide
Ok, let’s face it, we didn’t think winter was ever going to come. Well, it sneaked up and kicked us hard. Now our skin is all dry, cracked and itchy. Besides products, there are other things that can be done. Add a humidifier or vaporizer to your heating system or in a bedroom to add moisture in the air. When showering, turn the hot water down a little bit. The hot water dries out the skin and leaves it dehydrated. Dry, cracked hands? Apply an emollient moisturizer and sleep with white cotton gloves (can be done on feet as well). Using a regular body scrub will exfoliate lifeless skin cells on the body. Applying a moisturizer while you just get out of the shower locks in the skins moisture as well. Now, let’s design a skin care regime for you.
Ouch! How To Treat Sunburn
Ok, we all try and be careful, but sometimes we just forget to put on the sunscreen. The best way to treat sunburn is to not get burned, but if it happens, there are a few things that you can do. Wearing cool clothes and taking frequent cool showers will help right away. Immediately after the burn, aloe vera gel can be very soothing. Sometimes a bad sunburn can give you a fever or a headache. Over the counter analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen can offer some relief. Applying a topical steroid cream may help with any swelling that may occur. Maintaining a healthy hydration status is very important with any sunburn.
What if blisters form? Try your best not to pop them. You may want to wear a loose bandage over them as to not cause any rubbing or more irritation. If the blisters break open, try not to remove the skin of the blister. Use a topical antibiotic like Neosporin and place a loose dressing over it. If the surrounding area becomes reddened or pus starts to form, see your doctor right away.
Heat stroke, sun poisoning, call it what you will—either is a serious condition that needs emergent medical care. Symptoms of heat stroke include visual disturbances, fever, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and feeling like you can faint. Bottom line—protect yourself this summer. Sit under an umbrella, wear sunscreen and reapply frequently, drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun during peak sun hours (10 am to 2 pm). Don’t let a sunburn ruin your day at the beach, a few minutes of prevention goes a long way.
MEDICAL Microdermabrasion
Did you ever look at a baby’s skin and wonder what happened to yours? Over time, our skin begins to lose its smooth appearance. Things like the sun, environmental pollutants, and age all affect the way our skin looks. Fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and age spots now become the familiar.
Microdermabrasion (MDA) is a non-surgical procedure that can treat the superficial effects of aging. There are no side effects and the procedure is painless. The treatment takes around 30-40 minutes and you can resume your activity immediately.
Indications for microdermabrasion include: sun-damaged
skin, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, superficial
pigmentation,enlarged pores, acne scars and blackheads.
Microdermabrasion can be done on any color of skin and
is for both men and women. Multiple treatments are
optimal but single treatments are also effective. MDA can
be done on the face, arms, chest, arms and back. Results
are seen instantly.
Reflections does both particle and particle free MDA. Ask your skin care specialist about which procedure is best for you.